The puzzle confounding Mercedes in Malaysia
Ferrari starred, Red Bull looked strong and Mercedes floundered in practice at Sepang. That was a surprise result given Mercedes was expected to lead the way, and there's no obvious answer either
"A puzzling Friday" was the verdict coming from the Mercedes camp after Friday practice for Formula 1's final Malaysian Grand Prix.
On a circuit where it dominated on pure pace last season, and would have won easily but for Lewis Hamilton's spectacular engine failure in the race, F1's multiple reigning champion team was nowhere on the 2017 Friday practice timesheets.
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